"Di Cao!"
Mu's eyes were filled with sadness. He never expected that his younger brother would choose a different path. Yet, as he looked at him, Mu felt a sense of approval. After all, this was his younger brother, and he had embarked on his own journey. Wasn't that a good thing? Yes, it was the best thing—for his brother, at least.
"Brother!"
Di Cao appeared before him, wearing a thin dark robe that still highlighted his handsome figure. He spoke calmly, "Brother, I've always known my identity. I am a warrior of the Underworld. For too long, I suppressed my instincts in the hope of assisting you, but unfortunately, you have disappointed me."
Destiny? Prophecy?
Di Cao was born to be a warrior of the Underworld; he had sensed this long ago. Hades, too, was aware of his potential but chose not to control Di Cao eagerly. Instead, he allowed Di Cao to grow and find his own way. But as time passed, Di Cao realized his brother had surrendered. Mu didn't want to lead the people of Mu Continent; he wished to abide by fate and prophecy. This was something Di Cao could not accept.
Mu, unfazed by his brother's criticism, smiled. "Di Cao, I understand your anger, but you should know that I cannot refuse this path. As time passes, everything unfolds before us!"
Shaking his head, Mu continued, "Di Cao, you have chosen your own path, and I support you. This is your future, and I won't say more."
The two brothers exchanged smiles. Though they had conflicts and differences, they remained brothers. For now, their separation might not be a bad thing. After all, Di Cao's ideas were hard for most to accept.
"The breath of the Underworld..."
"Hades!"
Athena sensed something and, using her divine awareness, quickly identified the source. She frowned and turned her head, discovering a phantom standing beside her.
"My niece, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Uncle, it's a pleasure to meet you as well."
Hearing Hades' cold and emotionless voice, Athena regained her composure and greeted him lightly. However, her tightly clenched scepter revealed her inner tension.
Hades studied Athena quietly. "Gaia has entrusted her authority over the earth to you. Through this power, you have become the goddess of the earth. Your path ahead is smooth, as long as you proceed step by step. The Primordial God is not your final destination."
Athena smiled and replied, "Thank you, Uncle, for your approval."
Hades responded indifferently, "I am merely stating the truth. However, I find your future intriguing. As the one destined to end my fate, I wonder if you will succeed."
At those words, a sense of dread washed over Athena. Though Hades remained unchanged in demeanor, she felt as if the world had come to a standstill, darkness enveloping her.
In that moment, she experienced immense pressure, realizing the terrifying power of Hades. It wasn't just Hades' power; it signified the shift in his will, an unsettling force that he did not intend to wield.
"He who is destined to end Hades..."
Athena murmured, recognizing the weight of that statement. She had never considered herself in that role.
Yes! Destiny!
It was fascinating. Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus—the three kings of the third generation—would ultimately be confronted by Bell and Athena. In the original tales, Bell was never born due to Zeus's interference, making Zeus the only god king to truly defy fate.
Uranus, Cronus, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus—five god kings in total—yet only Zeus truly broke free from his destiny. Hades and Poseidon, like their father and grandfather, succumbed to the same fate.
Athena had defeated Poseidon in the mythological age, shattering his divine body and sealing his divine soul repeatedly. How could Poseidon still be considered a god king? Clearly, that was impossible!
As for Hades, though he was wounded by the power of killing gods, he ultimately met his end at Athena's hands. It could be said that she and Bell concluded the farce of the god kings.
Yet, now as Athena stood before him, Hades remained calm. Killing Athena held no appeal for him; fate dictated that he break free from its constraints rather than extinguish her life—such an outcome would be meaningless.
"Uncle!" Athena said earnestly. "You don't seem to intend to kill me..."
Hades replied, "My niece, I am not that kind of god. Simply killing you would not alter what fate seeks to impose upon me. That is impossible. Fate still aims to control me. I came here merely to meet you and to reclaim my Underworld fighter."
"I understand."
Athena nodded, though she felt a strange unease. Why did confronting Hades feel so different? Compared to her strained relationships with her brother and father, there seemed to be no animosity between her and Hades.
"Destiny..."
Hades seemed to sense her thoughts and remarked calmly, "This is fate. One day, you will stand opposite me. But this is not necessarily a bad thing. In the chess game between me and fate, the winner is the king, and the loser is the rogue."
Hearing Hades, Athena felt a surge of dissatisfaction. Was she to be merely a pawn in fate's game? Just a piece to be manipulated? This was entirely unacceptable to her. She did not wish to be a pawn—not at all!